Boots are fashionable. But, oh dear, sometimes they smell bad. A strange odor can find its way into your best boots, making you feel shy and uneasy.
But don’t worry! There are many ways to make your boots smell good again. By learning a few simple tricks and using some basic things, you can make your stinky boots clean and respectable once more.
Why Do Your Shoes Smell?
Boots are made to keep your feet warm and safe from the weather, but sometimes, they can start to smell not so good.
The main reason why boots smell is because of germs.
Source / FreePik
When your feet stay perfectly comfortable in warm boots, they might start to get sweaty. Foot sweat is like a cozy home for microorganisms to grow. That stinky smell? It’s just the odor of bacteria having a party in your boots.
Boots with cloth insides are good at making bad smells because of bacteria. Getting rid of smelly boots is quite simple. You only need a few basic things and a couple of minutes.
Things You’ll Need for Your Smelly Shoes
Depending on how you want to do it, you will need:
- Antimicrobial inserts
- Baking soda
- Boot odor spray
- Dryer sheets
- Merino wool socks
- White vinegar
Some of these ways work well to stop or handle small smells. Others are for when you need strong solutions.
Top 6 Tricks to Remove Smell from Your Boots Quickly
Source / Etsy
Method 1: Put on Merino Wool Socks on your feet
Cotton socks and polyester socks make your feet sweat more. Even in the hot summer, I suggest wearing Merino wool socks. Merino wool is much better at keeping your feet dry and letting out moisture, 35% better than polyester.
To stop your feet from smelling, it’s good to prevent them from getting too sweaty.
Socks made of Merino wool stop your sweat from making bacteria, so your boots stay fresh. This keeps the inside clean and stops your boots from smelling bad.
These comfy socks from Camel City Mill are a fantastic choice. They have tiny holes in the fabric around the arch and the top of the foot. Plus, they stay cozy and help keep away germs from your feet.
And because wool naturally fights with bacteria, your socks won’t get stinky, and you can wear them for many days without washing.
Source / Aradbranding
Method 2: By Using Baking Soda
Let’s talk about chemistry. Ever heard of the pH scale? If not, no problem. Just remember: baking soda is a base, and sweat is an acid. When you mix them, it helps get rid of smells. Bacteria like to grow in the slightly acidic environment of sweat.
By putting baking soda in your boots, you can get rid of the smell and stop the germs that make your boots stinky.
To use baking soda, just sprinkle it inside your shoe and leave it there overnight. Make sure you focus on the front part of the shoe, especially the area around the toes, as that’s where it can smell the most.
After letting the baking soda sit for a while, pour it out of your boot. You can keep the leftover powder because it will keep your boots smelling fresh for a longer time. Just be careful not to leave so much that it becomes like a paste.
You might need to do this every few months to stop your boots from getting smelly again.
Source / Amazon
Method 3: Using Boot Odor Spray
If you’re looking for something stronger, you might consider using a special spray that removes bad smells. These sprays have a couple of benefits compared to other ways.
Firstly, sprays are easier to use. Just spray the liquid in your shoe, it’s easy, it works well, and you don’t have to shake your shoe or twist your hand around.
Also, these sprays don’t leave anything behind.
This means you don’t have to think about cleaning your boots after spraying. Just spray and go on with what you’re doing. Finally, these sprays can go inside your boots. This helps stop bacteria from growing, keeping your boots smelling good and fresh.
Our favorite choice is this product from Lumi. It is super strong. One formula is made from natural ingredients that fight tough smells.
It makes sure to get rid of all the bacteria in your boots. The essential oils from citrus and tea trees not only make the inside of your boots better but also give them a fancy smell, like a high-end candle you might find in a fancy hotel.
Source / Familyhandyman
Method 4: With the help of Dryer Sheets
If your boots don’t smell strong and you need a simple way to make them smell better, try using dryer sheets. Dryer sheets work to hide the smells in your boots in a couple of ways.
The strong scents in dryer sheets are strong enough to cover up the stinky odors in your boots and make them go away. Dryer sheets are made to take away bad smells. They can soak up the offensive odors, making your shoes smell like just-washed clothes.
You can put dryer sheets in your boots overnight or just wear your boots with the sheets inside. Both ways are okay. The important thing is to let the sheets stay in your boots for a while.
Source / Bsbs
Method 5: Use Water and White Vinegar
By Mixing water and white vinegar you can make a strong germ-killing liquid that won’t damage your boots.
To do that, First mix water and vinegar in the same amounts. Dip a sponge or towel into the mixture and put it inside the boot. Scrub the inside well, then let the boots dry before you wear them again.
Let’s talk about the pH scale: Vinegar is super acidic. It’s so strong that makes an environment to get rid of the offensive smell from your boots.
The only problem with this way is that your boots might have a vinegar smell. You can fix that by spraying a little cologne or another nice smell to cover up the vinegar smell.
Source / Walks4all
Method 6: Use Antimicrobial Inserts in your boots
If no one method works then use this method to stop your boots from smelling bad, you can try using Antimicrobial inserts that fight against germs.
Antimicrobial inserts for your boots are made from materials that make the inside of your boots different. This helps get rid of any germs in your boots and stops them from getting stinky later on.
It’s important to pick the correct size for your boot insert. If the insert is too big, it can make your boot feel different, leading to discomfort or blisters.
We suggest these from Kaps. They have three soft layers for comfort, and you can trim them to fit inside your boot. This way, you can cut them to make sure your boots still fit just right.
Conclusion
Having smelly boots can be uncomfortable and hard to get rid of. If your best pair starts to smell, use different solutions until the problem is gone. But, like always, it’s best to stop the bad smell before it even starts.
The absolute top way to stop your boots from smelling bad is to wear Merino wool socks every day. I like the Camel City Mill Lightweight ones, but any Merino wool socks will work.
Household things like vinegar, baking soda, or dryer sheets help to get rid of bad smells in your boots. If you prefer an easier way, think about getting a spray from Lumi or these antimicrobial inserts from Kaps that fight germs.
No matter how you do it, removing the stinky smell from your boots will help you wear them proudly again.
Is this article helpful for you? How do you get rid of a bad smell from your boots? Please leave a comment on this article. Your comments help us to learn what mistakes we made in this article.
FAQs
How are waterproof boots deodorized?
Deodorizing waterproof boots is simple. Just spray the inside of the boots with a deodorizing spray, such as the one from Lumi, and let it stay overnight. This will get rid of the bacteria in your boots and make them smell nice and clean.
How can I make my feet not smell in my shoes?
One great way to stop your feet from smelling in your boots is to wear special socks that take away the sweat. Moisture-wicking socks, like Kodal Copper Infused Athletic socks, can do this. Socks with antibacterial properties, such as Kodal Copper Infused Athletic socks, can stop germs and bacteria.
Which soap is good for smelly feet?
Derma-nu’s soap is a good choice with tea tree oil. It kills tiny germs and keeps your feet smelling nice and clean. Use this special soap for stinky feet. It fights germs and fungus.
